World's funniest joke
The "world's funniest joke" is a term used by Richard Wiseman of the University of Hertfordshire in 2002 to summarize one of the results of his research. For his experiment, named LaughLab, he created a website where people could rate and submit jokes.[1] Purposes of the research included discovering the joke that had the widest appeal and understanding among different cultures, demographics and countries.[citation needed] The History Channel eventually hosted a special on the subject.[citation needed] The jokes The winning joke, which was later found to be based on a 1951 Goon Show sketch by Spike Milligan,[2] was submitted by Gurpal Gosal of Manchester: Two hunters are out in the woods when one of them collapses. References
Problem Gambling
Rock-paper-scissors-lizard-Spock
A diagram explaining the outcomes of the game The normal form matrix of rock-paper-scissors-lizard-Spock. Rows represent available choices for player 1, columns those for player 2. Rock-paper-scissors-lizard-Spock is an expansion of the classic selection method game rock-paper-scissors. Rules[edit] The rules of rock-paper-scissors-lizard-Spock are: There are ten possible pairings of the five gestures; each gesture beats two of the other gestures and is beaten by the remaining two. References[edit]
The Most Alien-Looking Place on Earth
"QUANTUM SHOT" #470Link - article by Avi Abrams Socotra Island: you have to see it to believe it We covered some otherwordly places before (see, for example, The Bolivian Salt Lake, or The Richat Structure), but this island simply blows away any notion about what is considered "normal" for a landscape on Earth. (images credit: Jan Vandorpe, socotra) Imagine waking up on the Socotra Island and taking a good look around you (let's say your buddies pulled a prank on you and delivered you there, and lets also assume that you don't have any hangover from abuse of any substances). The second would be closer to the truth for this island, which is part of a group of 4 islands, has been geographically isolated from mainland Africa for the last 6 or 7 million years. (images credit: dianadrz, Irina Travina) (image credit: socotra) The climate is harsh, hot and dry, and yet - the most amazing plant life thrives there. (image credit: Marco Pavan) Alien-looking plants: H. (image credit: Christian Besnier)
EyeTap
EyeTap inventor Steve Mann wearing a metal frame Laser EyeTap (computer-controlled laser light source run from "GlassEye" camera) An EyeTap[1][2][3] is a device that is worn in front of the eye that acts as a camera to record the scene available to the eye as well as a display to superimpose computer-generated imagery on the original scene available to the eye.[3][4] This structure allows the user's eye to operate as both a monitor and a camera as the EyeTap intakes the world around it and augments the image the user sees allowing it to overlay computer-generated data over top of the normal world the user would perceive. The EyeTap is a hard technology to categorize under the three main headers for wearable computing (constancy, augmentation, mediation) for while it is in theory a constancy technology in nature it also has the ability to augment and mediate the reality the user perceives. Possible uses[edit] Inventor Steve Mann using weather-resistant EyeTap together with a hydraulophone
Living Bridges in India Have Grown for 500 Years (Pics)
Photo Credit:Vanlal. via Flickr with photographer's permission Some of the smartest, most sustainable engineering feats were discovered hundreds of years ago, and many have gone unacknowledged. For evidence, take the bridge growers of northeastern India. Planning 10-15 years in advance, they build what may be the most sustainable foot bridges in the world -- by literally growing them out of living tree roots. The War-Khasis, a tribe in Meghalaya, long ago noticed this tree and saw in its powerful roots an opportunity to easily cross the area's many rivers. Photo Credit: Vanial In order to make a rubber tree's roots grow in the right direction--say, over a river--the Khasis use betel nut trunks, sliced down the middle and hollowed out, to create root-guidance systems. Sure, "enough time" isn't exactly expedient by today's standards -- each root bridge takes between 10-15 years to grow strong enough to be put into use. Photo Credit: Vanial
Pyrophone
A pyrophone, also known as a "fire/explosion organ" or "fire/explosion calliope" is a musical instrument in which notes are sounded by explosions, or similar forms of rapid combustion, rapid heating, or the like. It was invented by Georges Frédéric Eugène Kastner. Related musical instruments[edit] The German composer Wendelin Weißheimer (1838-1910) playing a Pyrophone. Pyrophone history[edit] Pyrophones originated in the 19th century. Pyrophone fuel sources[edit] Pyrophones are usually powered by propane, but gasoline powered mobile units have been built, to connect to automobile fuel intake manifolds and use the spark plugs and wiring, etc., to detonate one or more of the chambers. References[edit] Les Flammes Chantantes, Georges Frédéric Eugène Kastner, Paris 1875.In the movie "Tenacious D and the Pick of Destiny" Jack Black refers to his voice as a pyrophone in song. External links[edit] Audio[edit] Audio samples from Experiment1 Arts Collective Video[edit] Cinema[edit]
